Wednesday, January 16, 2008

LET'S MAKE A HYGROMETER

When studying the weather, an easy science activity to do is make a hygrometer, which measures the humidity. This activity is best for homeschoolers because it requires an oven. The activity works great and is easy to do.

MATERIALS

Pine conesAluminum foilOvenWaterBowlCake pan

PROCEDURE

1. Place pine cones in water in the bowl.2. Wait 45 minutes. Then draw a picture in your science journal of the pine cones, observing their scales.3. Transfer pinecones to cake pan which youhave lined with foil for protection.4. With an adult, bake the cones on low heatin the oven for 30 minutes.5. Remove pan from oven. Now draw a pictureof the scales in your science journal. Label.

EXPLANATION

A hygrometer measures the humidity (moisture in the air.) A pine cone makes a good hygrometer.When the pinecones are wet, the scales closeup. When they are dry, they open.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND?

Award-winning "No Child Left Behind? The True Story of a Teacher's Quest" by Elizabeth Blake

3rd place 2009 Premier Book Awards, a national book contest, in the Memoir category

After searching for her purpose in life, Elizabeth Blake begins teaching science in an inner-city high school and searches for a way to reach her at-risk students who capture her heart in this true story.

But when crushed by shootings, gangs, drugs, a riot, and some administrators who make her job more difficult, can she overcome the stress and find the ultimate meaning behind her life’s struggles?

Here's what people are saying about this book:

Polly Hanusosky, RN: "Fantastic!"

JoAnn V. Cleland, Ed.D.Professor Emeritus of Reading EducationArizona State University at the West Campus:

"In No Child Left Behind? The True Story of a Teacher’s Quest, Ms. Blake tells of her decision to leave a well-established career and take on an incredible challenge – teaching in a school for at-risk students. She is appalled at the lack of support from some administrators, but encouraged by the shared commitment of other colleagues. She is moved by the needs of students headed toward failure, losing some but saving others. This is a compelling message about one woman’s vision, that no child be left behind."

Patrick Blake, New York based producer of the critically acclaimed, award winning plays The Exonerated and In the Continuum:

“Anyone who is interested in the current state of public education in this country should read this book. It puts faces on the children left behind. It is the nonfiction version of Up the Down Staircase for the 21st century.”

No Child Left Behind? is a book that I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read. Blake does an excellent job of taking the reader into the classroom. I love the way that she introduces us to some of her students, and the follow-up at the end of the book really wraps up the circle of life. If you want a feel for how a great teacher connects with their students, and a journey one teacher took following the path she believed God was taking her on, then this is a book for you to read. I admire Elizabeth Blake for being able to share her story with the world.

Pastor Hermann I Weinlick:

“What really impressed me was your focus on the kids. It would be easy, and tempting, to digress and write about yourself, but you wrote about the kids you were working with, not yourself. A wonderful piece of work."

Joan Prefontaine, Biography/Memoir reviewer, Suite101.com:

"In No Child Left Behind?, Elizabeth Blake gives an honest and courageous assessment of her years teaching science to at-risk students. Blake, who currently creates science materials for homeschoolers, has provided a moving account of her passion for teaching at-risk students."

Jerry Smith, Phoenix, Arizona-based playwright, poet and novelist:

“This is an extremely moving account of a teacher’s struggles to change the lives of at-risk students. It can’t help but inspire persons who want to make a difference and choose to follow their hearts."

Carol D., Radiologic Technologist:

“This compelling book evokes the entire spectrum of feelings and emotions from inspiration, admiration and joy to anger, fear and grief. It makes my already very high opinion of teachers, higher. It taught me and made me think. Always signs of a great book. "

Richard Blake (no relation), Amazon reviewer: "As a Christian Educator, myself, and having worked with a Faith Based Ministry serving the needs of incarcerated juveniles, I can identify with Beth's dilemma. She had a strong love for her students. She was proud to see them learn, mature and grow under her tutelage. The undermining of the administration and. the trauma, riots, chaos became a burden hard to face. She was left heartbroken each time another of her students injured, hospitalized or killed. I found Blake's writing style compelling, often heartbreaking, yet positive in attitude and approach. I especially enjoyed the follow up on some of her students who have moved on to enroll in various college programs or to pursue professional training for promising careers. "No Child Left Behind? The True Story of a Teacher's Quest" is a book that should be read by every school administrator. It should be required reading for educators, teachers and administrators within any inner city school district. "

Clyde R. Shallenberger, D.D., D.H.L.:

"For thirty years I was involved in hospital work as the Senior Chaplain of The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

I want you to know how impressed I was with your book, No Child Left Behind? The True Story of a Teacher’s Quest.

There were occasions as I read that I became a bit teary- eyed.....at times for the struggle that you were experiencing, and at times for the great difficulties that many of your students were experiencing. Your struggles with administrators, et al, must have been high mountains for you to climb!And, finally, I was impressed with your certainty that, no matter how difficult the situation you were facing was, you always found confidence based on your certainty that God wasn't going to let you down....even when it must have felt that way at times. So – thank you for writing your book."

Leon Scott Baxter Lewandowski, Author:

"Absolutely compelling! I expected the book to go in a very different direction than it did, and I must admit I was tremendously pleasantly surprised. I have been a teacher for twelve years and can relate to much of what Ms. Blake wrote about. She takes the reader into her world and doesn't let go of them until the final word. I got to know her students, fellow teachers and administrators through Blake's use of metaphors and descriptive writing. the moment I finished the book I had to email her directly, I was so impressed. I think the book would be fascinating to anyone interested in education at any level, but I'm recommending it to every teacher and administrator I can! Gave the book to my principal. My wife (kindergarten teacher) wants it next."

Roy Pickering Jr., Author:

Mrs. Blake is a determined woman with deep faith in God and conviction in her goal not to abandon the children who need her guidance. The tone of her memoir is not one of bitterness, but of hope that change will someday come; satisfaction that she did do something to help as many kids succeed as she was somehow able to reach; and gratitude that in the process of affecting their lives they blessed her own.

The heavy cardboard box of teaching materials fell with a thud on the garage floor. Rummaging through my various supplies, exhaustion suddenly overtook me. My shoulders slumped and I sat in the dust with a sigh. Only in my fourth year of teaching, I wondered: could I continue with this? The memory of just a few hours ago whirled like a bad movie in my mind as my eyes drooped shut.

Slowly the boy turned around to face me. I was in the front of the classroom, holding the attendance sheet in my hand. He stood a few inches away for a moment, glaring at me. His menacing eyes never left mine as he boldly approached me. We stared at each other as he walked up to me and stood one inch in front of my face.

He closed the distance between us and I could see the hatred blazing in his eyes. He stood slightly taller than I did and was solid muscle. His lips curled into a threatening sneer as he spat out the words, “F*** you, bitch.”

In an instant, his hands were on my shoulders and he shoved my body against the wall behind me. I felt the barrier against my back, like a trap. My mind frantically begged, Help me, Lord!

What brought me to that frightening place? Why did this happen to me, overwhelming me to the point that I could barely continue? I needed to know the reason for this brick wall I ran into after fighting for so long. Gangs, drugs, shootings, a riot – they had all strengthened me, but now I wondered if I could even go back again tomorrow. What was the purpose of my struggles these last four years? I refused to stop searching until I figured out why my journey had led me here.

HI, HOMESCHOOLERS, TEACHERS, AND PARENTS

Hi homeschoolers, elementary education teachers, and other parents. I'm so glad you are science lovers!I'm just starting up this blog. Periodically, I will be adding a different science activity for kids that you are free to use. Be sure to check out the archives for past activities!Leave a comment about what you think of the experiments, or e-mail me with a question at elizabethblake9@aol.com .For safety purposes, always be sure there is an adult present when doing these easy science experiments.Happy science teaching!

Read my E-zine articles.

Elizabeth and husband Mike

Some favorite quotes

"Forgotten experiences of pain, or failure, are worthless. Only in hindsight do we understand how God intended a problem for good."Rick Warren "The Purpose Driven Life"